Pomegranate-Linked Substance Shows Heart Benefits in New Study
A compound associated with pomegranates could have a notable impact on heart health, scientists at King's College, London, found.
Scientists at King's College, London, have discovered that a compound called urolithin A, produced in the body after consuming foods like pomegranates, walnuts, and some berries, may significantly improve heart function in individuals with a specific type of heart failure. This condition, known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, accounts for around half of all heart failure cases and is becoming increasingly common due to aging populations and rising obesity and diabetes rates.
The study, published in Science Advances, found that urolithin A could enhance the heart's ability to relax, reduce scarring, and prevent harmful enlargement of the heart, which are critical factors in improving heart failure symptoms. Urolithin A activates a protein called PKGIα, which modifies an amino acid (cysteine 42) on the protein, enhancing the heart muscle's ability to handle calcium and relax more effectively between beats.
This mechanism is particularly relevant for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, as it allows the heart to contract normally but struggles to relax and fill with blood. The study's findings suggest that targeting cysteine 42 on PKGIα with urolithin A could directly improve the heart's inability to relax properly while also reducing scarring and heart enlargement.
Additionally, urolithin A has a favorable safety profile, making it a promising candidate for clinical trials in patients with heart failure.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
